Huntzinger, Drive Roll Past Tourists, 6-2, for 2nd Straight Night
September 6, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greenville, SC - As the playoffs inch closer, the Drive (72-65, 32-37) are trying to ride the hot hand into their first bout of postseason play. For the second straight night, Greenville's pitching held the South Atlantic League's top hitting squad in check, on the way to a 6-2 victory in front of 5,941 fans at Fluor Field.
After being blanked in the series opener against the 2nd half Southern Division Champion, the Drive have bounced back to outscore the Tourists (68-69, 42-26) 15-3, and have guaranteed themselves victors of the season series.
Brock Huntzinger (10-9) turned in a superb effort in his final start of the 2009 season, becoming the third Drive pitcher to garner double-digit this year. The Pendleton, Indiana native scattered five hits and a walk, while recording seven strikeouts over 5-2/3 innings.
The only run he surrendered came in his final inning on an infield single by Michael Zuanich, scoring league MVP Jordan Pacheco.
It didn't take the Drive long to get on the scoreboard, as they sent seven batters to the plate for a five-run second inning off Alan DeRatt (2-4). Will Middlebrooks and Shannon Wilkerson led off the inning with singles, and after Ty Weeden walked to load the bases Oscar Tejeda delivered a two-run single.
The sacks were once again full after Pete Hissey singled, with Casey Kelly giving Greenville a three-run advantage on his RBI-groundout. Ryan Lavarnway capped the barrage with a two-out, two-run single.
The Drive added their final run two innings later, when Lavarnway's two-out groundball was booted by Patrick Rose at third base, allowing Hissey to score.
Lance McClain and Kyle Rutter provided solid relief out of the bullpen, limiting Asheville to a run on three hits. McClain allowed just one hit, while recording four of his seven outs by way of strikeout. The Tourists final run, coming off Rutter in the ninth, came on a passed ball.
The Drive and Tourists closeout the 2009 regular season on Monday with first pitch set for 2:05 PM at Fluor Field. Greenville manager Kevin Boles will turn to right-hander Caleb Clay (5-7, 4.11 ERA) in the season finale, as Asheville counters with right-hander Carlos Luna (0-0, 5.79 ERA).
Monday's game is also the final "Munchie Monday" of the year, in which kids 12 and under get a voucher for a free hot dog, a 12-ounce Pepsi product, and a bag of chips. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
GAME NOTES:
Pete Hissey tallied 3 hits for the 2nd straight night...Brock Huntzinger joins Stolmy Pimentel (10-7) and Fabian Williamson (10-4) as the Drive's 10-game winners
South Atlantic League Stories from September 6, 2009
- Huntzinger, Drive Roll Past Tourists, 6-2, for 2nd Straight Night - Greenville Drive
- Five Run Inning Sinks Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Legends Win Again in Bowling Green - Lexington Legends
- Bats Go Quiet in 7-1 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Hots Rods Fall Short - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Win Clinched Winning Half - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Rodriguez, Homers, Key Savannah to 6-1 Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Power Fall to Hoppers - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hickory Rallies to 7-3 Win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Crawdads cruise by Intimidators, 7-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- Kennelly placed on Temporary Inactive list - Rome Emperors
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